What does Matthew 11:3 mean?

Explanation

Matthew 11:3 features a question sent by John the Baptist to Jesus through his disciples. The question, "Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?", expresses John's desire for confirmation of Jesus's messianic identity.

It is interesting to see John, who earlier recognized and baptized Jesus, now asking for reassurance.

This verse can be understood literally as a straightforward inquiry. On a deeper level, it represents the human longing for certainty and the struggles even a faithful prophet can face with doubts or expectations about the nature and timing of God's plan.

Historical Context

This verse is set in the context of John the Baptist's imprisonment by Herod Antipas.

John's ministry involved calling people to repentance and preparing the way for the coming Messiah.

By the time of his imprisonment, he had heard of the works of Christ and possibly expected a messianic deliverance that would disrupt the existing political and religious order.

Jesus’s ministry did not align exactly with these expectations, which likely led John to question whether Jesus was indeed the awaited one, or if another was to come.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, this verse offers a view into prophetic fulfillment and the nature of messianic expectations.

Some theologians suggest John's question indicates a moment of doubt, common to all humans, while others assert it was meant to confirm for his own disciples the identity of Jesus as the Messiah.

There is also a perspective that sees John fulfilling his role by pointing others directly to Christ, seeking to diminish his role and uplift Jesus.

Practical Applications

The practical applications of this verse include the understanding that doubt and questioning are natural components of faith.

Believers can take comfort from the fact that even a prophet like John had his moments of uncertainty.

This can encourage individuals to seek confirmation and clarity in their faith journeys, to remain open to God's often unexpected methods of revealing His plans, and to be patient with the development of their spiritual understanding.

Cross-References

• John 1:29: "The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world."
• Matthew 3:11: "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire."
• Isaiah 35:5-6: "Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.

Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert."

Language Study

The key phrase in question is "he that should come" (ὁ ἐρχόμενος, ho erchomenos) which in the original Greek carries a continuous sense of "the one who is to come" and is often used to denote the expected Messiah.

The verb "look for" (προσδοκάω, prosdokaō) indicates an act of waiting or anticipating, which shows the expectation of a future arrival.

The use of "another" (ἄλλον, allon) suggests the potential for an alternate fulfillment of messianic hopes separate from Jesus.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In Judaism, the concept of the Messiah ('Mashiach' in Hebrew) is rooted in the expectation of a future king from the lineage of David who would restore Israel.

By the time of Jesus, there were various interpretations of what the Messiah would be like.

Similar expectations of redeeming figures can also be found in other cultures and religions, like the Mahdi in Islam or the future Buddha (Maitreya) in Buddhism.

These figures are anticipated as heralds of change or restoration.

Scientific Perspectives

Scientific perspectives are not directly applicable to this verse as it deals with religious belief and eschatological expectations rather than empirical observations.

The psychological aspect of faith, doubt, and expectation can be studied through the lens of cognitive science, revealing how human beings cope with uncertainty and how beliefs can be reinforced or challenged by new information.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and religious commentators have offered various interpretations of this verse.

Some, like the early church father John Chrysostom, saw John's question as rhetorical, intended to teach his disciples rather than express personal doubt.

More contemporary scholars suggest the verse reflects historical authenticity, showing that even John the Baptist grappled with Jesus's messianic role not conforming to established expectations.

Others see this dialogue as emblematic of Matthew's broader theme of the unexpected nature of the kingdom of heaven and Jesus’s Messiahship.